Patio Cover, Deck Cover, Sunroom and Solarium FAQ
Below you'll find answers to common questions we receive. If you can't find the answers here, please feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to answer your patio cover, deck cover, sunroom, solarium, or screen room questions.
Questions
Q. How can your prices really be half the price of competitors?
A. Tropicana is Kelowna's only manufacturer of aluminum patio covers and deck covers. Our roll-form machine eliminates that middle-man (and unnecessary delays). We have more than 35 years of experience in the industry and have established ourselves in the Okanagan Valley. We are a full service aluminum company, specializing in non-insulated patio covers, non-insulated solid v-pan roofs, custom solarium designs, custom patio covers, wind walls, replacement doors and windows and aluminum railings. Our employees have a thorough knowledge of the products we install. All our work carries a written warranty for both labour and materials.
Q. What are the differences between flat pan and V-pan roofs?
A. The V-pan and flat pan have a V-shape appearance from above; however, the flat pan has the appearance of flat boards on the underside/ceiling. Both roof types meet code and are equal in their strength and durability. The flat pan boards can be embossed with patterns to give it a more decorative appearance and is available in a variety of colours.
A. Tropicana is Kelowna's only manufacturer of aluminum patio covers and deck covers. Our roll-form machine eliminates unnecessary shipping delays. Rest assured, you are guaranteed a faster install time than other patio cover companies. Our Patio Covers are custom designed, manufactured and installed to your unique specifications. We come to your home, commercial building or business, measure, prefabricate your new patio cover at our location, and then return and install it. This means there is little time spent on site and no mess. An exact time can not be quoted here on our website, because as you can likely appreciate, design, existing structures, workload, site situation and such vary. Contact us today and we'll do our best to give you a rough estimate.
Q. What is the difference between tempered and untempered glass?
A. Tropicana Sunrooms and Patio Covers uses only tempered glass and for several reasons, but mainly tempered glass has been heat-treated and is stronger. Additionally, building codes requires that all windows installed off the ground must be tempered.
Q. What are the differences between three-season and all-season sunrooms?
A. All-season sunrooms rooms are far more energy-efficient and maintain heat all year-round. They have 3" thermally divided aluminum frames and thermal double-paned windows to ensure the room is optimally insulated. Three-season rooms can stay heated most days of the year, but not efficient to maintain all year-round, especially of course in winter. They have 2" aluminum framing with 2" wall board, and single-glazed windows.
Q. What is the difference between ultra-lattice and standard lattice?
A. Ultra-lattice has a pronounced stamped pattern where standard is more subtle.
Q. What are the pros and cons of installing a sunroom vs a screen room?
A. A sunroom can accommodate just about whatever you dream. Maybe that's a spa, a hot tub, a lounge area, an indoor garden or something truly unique. Because it's enclosed with glass, it'll hold heat and extend your patio season longer than a patio cover on it's own. Sunrooms cost a little more than a screen room, but a screen room is more shelter than a patio cover on it's own. A screen room is a little less closed in than a sunroom/solarium, but creates usable outdoor floor space and a more open environment. Screen rooms are great for BBQs, entertaining, relaxation, dining or for a play area for the kids, with lots of fresh air. Both are great at keeping out those pesky wasps, hornets, mosquitoes, flies, frogs, birds and the occasional raccoon.
